TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida A&M University (FAMU) and the City of Crestview hosted a deed-signing ceremony, Saturday, June 26, in an effort to turn the city’s historic Alatex Building into a new satellite pharmacy school for the university.

“Today we are reaching out and making dreams into realities,” said FAMU President James H. Ammons. “We must increase the number of people in the healthcare profession. I am looking forward to seeing what great things are in store and I know the best is yet to come.”

The major objective of the Crestview project is that graduates of the program will be able to alleviate the increasing shortage of pharmacists presently being experienced throughout the Florida Panhandle. Currently, students seeking health education from the area are forced to drive to Tallahassee and many travel to Auburn and Birmingham, Ala.

Sen. Durell Peaden, R-Crestview, was the driving force behind the $8.5 million project. He said he believes the new school will bring growth to the town located in Florida’s Panhandle.

“This is not the destination — this is just the journey,” said Peaden. “We need more pharmacists and they are going to be trained right here in Crestview. I knew we had to do something for the people in our little town.”

Students interested in the program will be admitted to FAMU. Lectures will be provided in real-time through video conferencing between the FAMU College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences in Tallahassee and the Crestview facility.

Mr. Bob Lynn, president of the Military Appreciation Recognition Celebration, Inc. (left) and retired Brig. Gen. Mark Stogsdill displayed their support during the deed-signing ceremony.

Citizens from all walks of life attended the high-spirited ceremony, which took place in front of the Alatex Building, a former garment factory. Crestview Mayor David Cadle, who served as an honorary conductor for the Marching “100” during the event, said he is excited about the joint project.

“This is really as much of an exciting day for me as it is for you,” said Mayor Cadle, a former band director at Crestview High School.

FAMU’s College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences is a leader in attracting millions of dollars for basic science and clinical research and competes nationally to attract industry and federal support for its many research and training endeavors.